All posts for the month February, 2012

Here we go again! This round is urgent and very necessary. Please utilize any and all means available to share this request and to ensure that Senator McCain receives it (i.e. if you have personal contacts within his administration, please utilize them!).

Senator McCain is scheduled to be in Tunisia for meetings beginning next week. I just learned of this yesterday. Therefore, any hopes of him bringing our case up to the various members of the Tunisian government with whom he’ll meet rest on the impact of this effort.

Thank you in advance!

-Edeanna

Please sign the message below and then copy and send via any or all of these means:

It has come to my attention that you will soon be traveling to Tunis, Tunisia. I am writing to you regarding concerns about the status of two U.S. citizens (Eslam Chebbi, age 5, and Zainab Chebbi, age 3) who were kidnapped on November 11, 2011 by their father to Tunisia. Their mother, Édeanna Johnson-Chebbi, has been fighting for her children’s return since she learned of their abduction on November 12, 2011.

Édeanna is presently in Tunis working through the Tunisian court systems for the right to return to the U.S. with her two children. Although Édeanna had sole legal and physical custody of the children at the time of abduction, and now has Federal and State warrants for the father’s arrest; court orders for the safe and immediate return of the children; and a signed confession in the Tunisian courts by the children’s father stating that he did abduct the children, Édeanna continues to battle for their return.

The State Department has been working with Édeanna within their capacity to encourage the return of Eslam and Zainab through diplomatic means. Additionally, Senator Mikulski personally addressed the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with her concerns over the abduction and encouraging the safe and immediate return of Eslam and Zainab to the United States.

As Tunisia is not a signatory to the Hague Conventions, diplomatic and political pressure continue to be necessary and vital to ensure that the Tunisian government remain aware of and concerned about the outcome of this case.

Senator McCain, I request that you add your voice to those of the State Department and Senator Mikulski in advocating for the safe return of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi. As a member of Congress, Édeanna has authorized the State Department to provide any and all information regarding this case to you. Her case number is: OCS 2011 319 2852. Additionally, details of her advocacy efforts and further background may be found at: returnushome.wordpress.com.

Good afternoon all,Apologies for the lack of communication. I have been in Tunisia since about the 18th of January to pursue legal recourse to both ensure my rights to see Eslam and Zainab, and to bring them home to the U.S.Following a few days of contention after my arrival, the children’s father cooled off and allowed me to visit with the children so long as he or his sister were present. For almost two weeks, I spent most evenings with the children after school, and time over the weekends. On two occasions Zainab was allowed to stay the evening with me (once for 2 weekend days), and Eslam stayed one evening with me. I am never allowed to see both independently at one time, as their father is fearful I will kidnap them…go figure!

We have been in and out of court for three weeks now over the right of visitation. Last week we were informed that their father obtained temporary custody of the children in December. After obtaining that document and realizing it was not only filled with lies, but also with incriminating details that he wrote with his own hands, I was actually elated that he did this.

I’ll save the back and forth of court room drama. Suffice to say, he backed himself into a corner with lies that were evident to all in the courtroom. For jurisdictional matters, we postponed a judgement – yet again – and will be back in court next Wednesday on this issue. Unfortunately, since he rather slaughtered his case, his lawyer became irate and demanded that visitation only be granted according to the ruling of the court. Since, at present, he has temporary custody, and the court has yet to make a ruling on visitation, I am reduced to seeing the children from the street as they leave school in the afternoon – for now.

There are many things pending at the moment, which I won’t speak to until it is public knowledge. Rest assured that despite this setback, I am firm that God is at the head of this battle. I continue to speak and believe that we will be home soon.

In the meantime, below are 4 lettersthat I would truly appreciate your support in signing, sending, and then forwarding to friends, family, and acquaintances to do the same.

I am certain that by now you are well informed of the international kidnapping case of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi by Tunisian citizen, Faical Chebbi, on November 11, 2011. At present, the children’s mother, Édeanna Johnson-Chebbi is in Tunisia fighting for the right to return to the United States with her two abducted children.

While the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to indicate its concern for the severity of the act of international child abduction, I expect that this is an issue that both the department, and your mission, take very seriously. The Chebbi case is only one of many that occur annually by Tunisians living in America who return to Tunisia, abducting their small children.

These abduction cases can easily be prevented. And small changes in your embassy’s practices would serve to protect the many small children who suffer the injustice of abduction.

Ambassador Tekaya, I am asking for your assistance as the head of the Tunisian mission to the United States of America to affirm a desire to protect the innocent. I propose the following, unobtrusive steps, be added to your embassy’s practices when providing documentation to minors, under the age of 16, who are citizens of the United States of America:

Require that both the mother and father of U.S. citizens, under the age of 16, be present to request both (either) Tunisian birth certificates and (or) passports.

If either parent is unable to represent him/herself in person, require that a copy of their passport, driver’s license (or state issued ID), AND a signed and notarized letter containing a raised seal from the absent parent be required as part of the application for both (either) Tunisian birth certificates and (or) passports.

If either parent has sole legal or physical custody of a U.S. citizen who is a minor (under the age of 16), and requests both (either) Tunisian birth certificates and (or) passports, require a court notarized document containing a raised or triple seal verifying their sole rights of custody be provided as part of the application process (this may include a copy of the minor’s birth certificate verifying the names of both legal parents AND a raised seal copy of a vital record indicating the death of the absent parent in cases where one parent is deceased).

I urge you, Ambassador Tekaya, to express concern over the grave issue of international child abduction, and establish Tunisia as a leader among foreign missions to the U.S., by implementing these minor practices when issuing passports and (or) birth records to U.S. citizens under the age of 16.

I appreciate any and all efforts that your department is making on behalf of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi. I add my voice to the more than 18,000 citizens, worldwide, who petition for the safe and speedy return of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi to the United States: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/275/669/976/ .

I am certain that by now you are well informed of the international kidnapping case of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi by Tunisian citizen, Faical Chebbi, on November 11, 2011. At present, the children’s mother, Édeanna Johnson-Chebbi is in Tunisia fighting for the right to return to the United States with her two abducted children.

While the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to indicate its concern for the severity of the act of international child abduction, I expect that this is an issue that both your department takes very seriously. The Chebbi case is only one of many that occur annually by Tunisians living in America who return to Tunisia, abducting their small children.

These abduction cases can easily be prevented. And small changes in birth certificate and passport application processes would serve to protect the many small children who suffer the injustice of abduction that Eslam and Zainab Chebbi are presently experiencing.

Minister Abdessalem, I am asking for your assistance to affirm to the United States of America that Tunisia has a desire to protect the innocent. I request you consider the following, unobtrusive policies for providing documentation to minors, under the age of 16, who are citizens of the United States of America:

Require that both the mother and father of U.S. citizens, under the age of 16, be present to request both (either) Tunisian birth certificates and (or) passports.

If either parent is unable to represent him/herself in person, require that a copy of their passport, driver’s license (or state issued ID), AND a signed and notarized letter containing a raised seal from the absent parent be required as part of the application for both (either) Tunisian birth certificates and (or) passports.

If either parent has sole legal or physical custody of a U.S. citizen who is a minor (under the age of 16), and requests both (either) Tunisian birth certificates and (or) passports, require a court notarized document containing a raised or triple seal verifying their sole rights of custody be provided as part of the application process (this may include a copy of the minor’s birth certificate verifying the names of both legal parents AND a raised seal copy of a vital record indicating the death of the absent parent in cases where one parent is deceased).

I urge you, Minister Abdessalem, to express concern over the grave issue of international child abduction, and establish Tunisia as a leader among foreign missions to the U.S., by implementing these minor practices when issuing passports and (or) birth records to U.S. citizens under the age of 16.

I appreciate any and all efforts that your department is making on behalf of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi, in order to ensure their safe return from Tunisia back to their home in the United States of America.

It is my hope that by this time you are aware of the circumstances regarding two American children, Eslam Chebbi (age 5) and Zainab Chebbi (age 3), who were kidnapped from their home in the United States to Tunisia on November 11, 2011 by their father, Faical Chebbi – a citizen of both Tunisia and the United States.

At present, their mother, Édeanna M. Chebbi – a known and practicing Muslimah – is fighting for the right to both see her children and bring them back to their home in the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia retains all relevant details regarding the ongoing cases in Tunisian courts and is prepared to share this information with any relevant Tunisian authority.

As Tunisia has ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, where child abduction is a clear violation of the terms of the convention, I understand that you take the case of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi very seriously. Not only has this specific act of kidnapping violated this international law, but it also violates United States law, Tunisian law and Sharia law.

Édeanna Johnson-Chebbi was granted sole physical and legal custody of her children by the consent of her ex-husband over a year ago. She fought for two years in the United States to ensure that she and her children would not be re-victimized by the domestic violence that necessitated her divorce. She and her children are now suffering this re-victimization in Tunisia at the hands of a man who is unquestionably a criminal.

Mr. Jebali, I respectfully request that you inquire about the state of Édeanna Johnson-Chebbi, and Eslam and Zainab Chebbi, in Tunisia, to ensure their safety. I further request that you delegate the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of the Interior to contact the United States embassy to inquire about the circumstances of the Chebbi case, and to ensure that all expeditious means of justice are being utilized to ensure the safe and speedy return of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi to their mother, and their return to the United States.

ALSO, please submit via the online form at: http://www.e-justice.tn/index.php?id=274 (this is in french, but in order, requires: name, email, pasted message – then hit the grey button below the message box to send)

Dear Minister Noureddine Bhiri,

It is my hope that by this time you are aware of the circumstances regarding two American children, Eslam Chebbi (age 5) and Zainab Chebbi (age 3), who were kidnapped from their home in the United States to Tunisia on November 11, 2011 by their father, Faical Chebbi – a citizen of both Tunisia and the United States.

At present, their mother, Édeanna M. Chebbi – a known and practicing Muslimah – is fighting for the right to both see her children and bring them back to their home in the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia retains all relevant details regarding the ongoing cases in Tunisian courts and is prepared to share this information with any relevant Tunisian authority.

As Tunisia has ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, where child abduction is a clear violation of the terms of the convention, I understand that you take the case of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi very seriously. Not only has this specific act of kidnapping violated this international law, but it also violates United States law, Tunisian law and Sharia law.

Édeanna Johnson-Chebbi was granted sole physical and legal custody of her children by the consent of her ex-husband over a year ago. This custody was finalized and incorporated into a final, uncontested, divorce decree that is now being presented for acceptance in the Tunisian courts.

Édeanna fought for two years in the United States to ensure that she and her children would not be re-victimized by the domestic violence that necessitated her divorce. She and her children are now suffering this re-victimization in Tunisia at the hands of a man who is unquestionably a criminal.

Mr. Bhiri, I respectfully request that you inquire about the state of Édeanna Johnson-Chebbi, and Eslam and Zainab Chebbi, in Tunisia, to ensure their safety. I further request that the Ministry of Justice contact the United States embassy to inquire about the circumstances of the Chebbi case to ensure that all expeditious means of justice are being utilized to obtain the safe and speedy return of Eslam and Zainab Chebbi to their mother, and their return to the United States.